‘Spinal Tap’ Sequel Officially in the Works

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

May 12th, 2022 4:14 PM

This is Spinal Tap may have been released 38 years ago, but that’s not stopping the creative forces behind the cult classic from making a sequel.

According to Deadline, Spinal Tap II is in the works at the recently relaunched Castle Rock Entertainment, with Rob Reiner reprising his role at Marty DiBergi and acting as the film’s director. In fact, the entire band is back with Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest on board as David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls and Nigel Tufnel, respectively. (No word yet on who has the unfortunate task of playing the drummer.)

So, what’s the premise of Spinal Tap II? Reiner tells Deadline, “[Spinal Tap have] played Albert Hall, played Wembley Stadium, all over the country and in Europe. They haven’t spent any time together recently, and that became the premise. The idea was that Ian Faith, who was their manager, he passed away. In reality, [actor] Tony Hendra passed away. Ian’s widow inherited a contract that said Spinal Tap owed them one more concert. She was basically going to sue them if they didn’t. All these years and a lot of bad blood we’ll get into and they’re thrown back together and forced to deal with each other and play this concert.”

Reiner adds about playing DiBergi again, “The band was upset with the first film. They thought I did a hatchet job and this is a chance to redeem myself. I am such a big fan and I felt bad they didn’t like what they saw in the first film. When I heard they might get back together, I was a visiting adjunct teacher’s helper at the Ed Wood School of Cinematic Arts. I drop everything to document this final concert.”

Spinal Tap II is currently slated for release on March 19, 2024.

11 Great ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ Quotes That Aren’t 'These go to 11!'

• 1. 'You don’t do heavy metal in Dubly, you know.'

  This entire scene makes you wonder just how many rock star spouses/partners have tried to talk about mixing an album. The tension between Jeanine and Nigel is palpable. Also, the way Nigel smiles at Jeanine’s “Dubly” flub is so great. Most of the film was famously improvised, so it makes you wonder if that flub was an honest mistake that Christopher Guest just ran with.

• 2. 'I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down.  I think that the problem may have been that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being crushed by a dwarf.'

  The little children of Stonehenge weren’t so little in this instance. Frankly, a Stonehenge monument being in danger of being crushed by a little person is a big problem. And yes, making a big thing out of it would have been a good idea. That goes without saying.

• 3. 'Well, this piece is called ‘Lick My Love Pump.’'

  We still have no idea how either Guest or Reiner were able to keep a straight face during this scene. We’ve seen the movie countless times, and it still makes us laugh.

• 4. 'It’s such a fine line between stupid, and uh…clever.'

  Sometimes, it feels like every day is a fine line between stupid and clever. If only Spinal Tap considered that before coming up with the cover art for Smell the Glove. Had they just objectified themselves, there wouldn’t be an issue at all. All they had to do was a little “turn-about.”

• 5. 'This miniature bread…'

  Nigel just wants bigger bread. Is that so much to ask?! He had been working with it for half an hour, and he just couldn’t figure it out. It’s truly outrageous when you think about it.

• 6. 'The review you had on ‘Shark Sandwich,’ which was merely a two-word review, just said ‘Sh-t sandwich.’'

  As brutal as it is, “Sh-t Sandwich” is a great album review. The members of Spinal Tap likely weren’t so tickled by it, but oh well. Honestly, we’d love to know which outlet printed that review. They seem, at the very least, interesting.

• 7. 'Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation.'

  Most people could probably find comfort in mild sedation. Of course, none of us are a rock god like David St. Hubbins. He clearly has a higher tolerance for things like that. However, most people likely side with Marty DiBergi in this instance.

• 8. 'We're very lucky in the band in that we have two visionaries, David and Nigel, they're like poets, like Shelley and Byron. They're two distinct types of visionaries, it's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water.'

  Derek Smalls shouldn’t sell himself short here. He, too, is quite the visionary. As “lukewarm water,” how could he not? However, what self-awareness he has to recognize the brilliance of his bandmates.

• 9. 'None more black.'

  True, the answer really is “none.” We have to side with manager Ian Faith on this one. The cover is “simple, beautiful, classic.” Sure, it might not be what the band was hoping for with a title like Smell the Glove, but what a statement.

• 10. 'Well, so what? What's wrong with bein' sexy?' 'Sex-IST!'

  Why do we get the feeling this conversation has taken place many times in rock and roll history? Plenty of men in bands have likely viewed women as objects. Thank goodness Ian and Bobbi were there to explain things. What true unsung heroes they are!

• 11. 'He died. He died in a bizarre gardening accident.'

  R.I.P. John “Stumpy” Pepys, the first Spinal Tap drummer who met quite the tragic end.

  Fun fact: In May 2020, Queen’s Brian May was briefly hospitalized. He shared on Instagram that he “managed to rip my Gluteus Maximus to shreds in a moment of over-enthusiastic gardening.” Spinal Tap actor Michael McKean shared the story on Twitter and simply captioned it “…a bizarre gardening accident…”

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

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Christopher Guest,Harry Shearer,Michael McKean,Rob Reiner,This Is Spinal Tap